Melbourne beat stubborn Bakewell

Match ball sponsored by Harpurs of Melbourne.

Melbourne 1st XV took on Bakewell in a reversed fixture as Bakewell's ground was flooded.

Melbourne saw the return of Rob Hollingsworth in the back row with the ‘’about to travel’ Watty replacing the injured Stringer in the centre and Jake Walker replacing his brother.

Melbourne started strong putting together 20 odd phases before Watty was robbed of the ball on the line after a fine line break (a feature of the game) with Watty constantly breaking through. Bakewell tackled and tackled and tackled as Melbourne went through multiple phases dominating territory and possession all game.
Bakewell were strong in the scrum with both lineouts functioning well. Melbourne continued on from last week, playing at pace with Olly Page again the catalyst for getting quick ball to backs and forwards. However, the final pass too often went begging or was forced, with the side gaining great field positions, only to concede a knock on for a scrum which Bakewell were comfortable on. Bakewell had a good 8 and 13 but never really received good enough ball and were met by strong Melbourne defence. Theo ran well (despite being blinded by the sun), Fossie attacked and counter attacked and Watty just went through gaps. The forwards just got on with it with Smithy, Lowery and Biggins all to the fore – there again –everybody was.
Melbourne opened the scoring after 7 minutes with Kier, taking a quarterback sneak on the line. Euan converted.
Melbourne continued to dominate. Theo made ground, Watty made ground, Pagey made ground and the side should have had the bonus point wrapped up by half time but this was not the case. Bakewell defended very well, forcing knock ons and turnovers at critical times. On the stroke of half time Bakewell scored from there only visit to Melbourne’s red zone from a lineout peel and 2 phases. Conversion saw half time at 7-7.
The half time talk must have had an effect.
Within 3 minutes Pagey scored after Melbourne switched the ball right, right, centre before Pagey snuck in, Euan converted 14-7.
4 minutes later Watty scythed through the defence again with a last ditched tackle forcing another knock-on and Bakewell scrum.
Soon after Melbourne had a lineout on the Bakewell line. A catch and drive to start with, then Fish went close before Pagey popped up to give Watty and easy score. 19-7.
From a scrum Theo made a break up the right where a last gasp tap tackle stopped him.
After 63 minutes, Melbourne has a lineout just inside the Bakewell half, Watty went through the gap again and scored his second try from 40m out. Euan converted again and the bonus poiny was secured.
Another lineout in the corner after 74 minutes. Clean ball was won, a quick peel to COyney who nearly got there, a simple pop pass to Will Judge to score. Euan converting again.
On the stroke of full time, more great play up the right from half way, with PAgey linking with Lowery, Rob Hollingsworth, a speculative inside pass and Tom Lowery collected to score strongly in the corner.
Final score 38-7.
A good performance but could have been more. Good interlinking forwards and backs. Defence excellent again after last week’s display. Fair play to Bakewell – great first half defensive display but tiredness eventually told after spending so much of the game tackling – they never gave up.
MOTM – Watty – 2 Trys and a constant menace ball in hand in this unfamiliar position for him.